In business, it always pays to be ahead of the curve. When I started my first company, Joyo.com, colleagues, friends and complete strangers thought I was either very brave or completely mad. In truth, I was neither. I knew I had the most valuable commodity an entrepreneur can have – a good idea. When Amazon acquired that business and I started DHgate, I had something else, too. I had something new.

Since pioneering the DHgate cross-border trade platform, innovation has been my focus. And this dedication to forward-thinking is, I believe, one of the key reasons my company is steadily growing.

I had this in mind when I was thinking about my blog this weekend.

So, in the true entrepreneurial spirit, this month’s book recommendations are a selection of yet-to-be-released works that are due out in the coming weeks. With the ink not even dry, here are a few gems to look forward to; I’ve already placed my pre-order!

On The Brink by Hank Paulson.

The former CEO of Goldman Sachs and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Hank Paulson, has joined the throngs of authors vying for the attention of those who are curious to learn the nitty-gritty of what has come to be called “The Global Economic Crisis”.  What drew me to Paulson’s account is the fact that he was a) actually there and b) a decision maker. Given the pressure Paulson was under during this time, I look forward to understanding more about the how he went about making decisions, coordinating stakeholders and analyzing strategy while under the spot-light and on the stop-watch. Whether this book turns out to be lessons in what not to do or a valuable demonstration of grace under fire is yet to be seen, but either way I’m looking forward to it.

Due out February 1^st, 2010.

Googled by Ken Auletta

Promising to be “a revealing, forward-looking examination of the outsize influence Google has had on the changing media Landscape” this is a book that I almost have to read – Not only because I run an online business, but because I too have an ambition to change the way things in my sector are traditionally done. While Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin inspire the digital revolution when they first decided that search could be done more efficiently, DHgate hopes to lead an ecommerce revolution for simplified global trade.

While Google will generate about $20 billion in advertising revenues this year and is well on its way to become the world’s first $100 billion media company, there are significant challenges ahead. Whether your business is one person and a computer or much bigger, this “unprecedented insight” into the people that fuelled Google’s rise and the challenges ahead promises much.

Due out November 10^th, 2009.

Stones into Schools  by Greg Mortenson

Mortenson’s 2006 book, “Three Cups of Tea”, recounted the details of his extensive and demanding humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan including (amongst other incredible things) the unique ways he has built relationships with Islamic clerics, militia commanders, and tribal leaders. In this new work, he shares for the first time his broader vision to promote peace through education and literacy.

There is so much in Mortenson’s words that I find extremely valuable. While I am a businesswoman, I am also hugely aware of the situation many find themselves stuck in – people want an opportunity to grow or start their modest business to help improve the circumstances for themselves and their families, but for several reason, it is not possible.

Focusing on providing opportunities for small businesses both overseas and here in China is the founding principal of my business, and running training programs, working with NGOs and initiating micro-financing initiatives are becoming an increasingly important part of our future. This book intends to shine a light on the bigger picture, and I for one and anxious to see the view.

Due out December 1^st, 2009.